Awakenings from Then ’til Now allows you to Embrace Your Past, Empower the Present, Enrich Your Future.

Welcome to Awakenings

Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Claire Cappetta, author of A Broken Ring is featuring, Awakenings, on her blog today. Please visit Claire's site and leave comments. I am offering my book as a Kindle Giveaway to one lucky commenter! Yippee!!

Thank you, Claire,

for being so supportive of my writing and providing this wonderful opportunity!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Summer time, open-air beach parties, warm nights, cold beer and a hot date! With or without the beer, that was the era of the Carolina shag. An outdoor pavilion with the roar of the ocean waves in the background set the stage to dance your heart away hand-in-hand with your favorite gal or beau.

The roots of the shag are grounded in a cross-pollination of black soul music and club dancers in Myrtle Beach, SC with fun-loving carefree 40s white teenagers. The radio stations of the 40s did not broadcast black music so the kids had to flock to the beaches to play the music on jukeboxes.

Having been grounded in the 40s, the shag became THE dance of the 50s.

There is, however, evidence those roots were possibly established well before the 40s. Even as far back as colonial times lies evidence of slaves dancing aboard slave ships for exercise. Not to be outdone, the white sailors began to show off their own moves. This resulted in yet another cross-blending that eventually led to the Lindy Hop, a type of swing dance. Onward into the early twentieth century evidences the jitterbug associated with various types of swing dances, including the Lindy.

A bit of evolution...

"The Lindy Hop was performed by young kids in the twenties, jitterbug in
the thirties, swing in the forties, and rock and roll/​bebop/​Carolina
shag in the fifties. In the sixties, young kids broke away and danced
animal caricature dances; in the seventies they danced the hustle.” Each
of these dances is characterized by a unique set of moves that are
suited to the music of the period. “The music of the seventies lent
itself to the development of the hustle just as the music of the
twenties lent itself to the development of the Lindy Hop."

So what makes the Shag the Shag? It's all in the moves...slowing down the original tempo of the jitterbug and incorporating sexier, looser movement.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

It was the end of WWII. However, the world felt far from safe: impending war in Korea, frightening talk of Communism, threatening talk of nuclear war. Even amid new fights and threats, post-war America's priority was family: feeling safe and secure within structured communities.

Elvis Presley = 1954

But, where did that leave the teenager? The teen was between...sandwiched in between child and young adult. In fact, the term 'teen-ager' was coined during this time — the 50s, the era where the teens started to hear music about their world, love songs about high school sweethearts, wild parties and fast cars. This was the age of rock 'n' roll — the devil's music of Elvis Presley, the rebelliousness of James Dean. A new culture was born and there was no stopping it! Long live rock 'n' roll!

James Dean - 1954

"What I remember most about the 50s were rules. Rules, rules, rules... for everything. Rules about clothes —
which clothes you could wear when. Rules about church. Rules about streets. Rules about play.The dance rules were different. Dance with girls and hold this hand, but then... you could do whatever you wanted
to do! Dance looked like freedom. The only freedom this kid knew." —John McKeon

Monday, February 18, 2013

Did you know the first places to sell gasoline/petrol were pharmacies as a side business? That's right, pharmacies! The city pharmacy in Wiesloch, Germany was the location of the first gas/petrol station. In 1888, Bertha Benz refilled the tank of the first automobile on its maiden trip from Mannheim to Pforaheim.Here are just a few as we step back in time...

Sunday, February 17, 2013

What does Presidents' Day mean to you? Do you have the day off from work? Are you seeking out the best deals and sales? Are you into Clothing and Accessories, Shoes and Purses, Home and Garden, Health and Well Being, Tech/Computers/Accessories? Slow down. . .actually, STOP!

While Presidents' Day is renown for its 'deals and sales', there is something much more special about this day that unfortunately often goes unnoticed. Everyone knows it is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. BUT, what is it really celebrating and has it always been this day?

Embrace the Past...

In 1885, this day was set aside in celebration of President George Washington's birthday. It was traditionally celebrated on February 22, the actual day of Washington's birth. In 1971, under the leadership of President Richard Nixon, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act attempted to create more three-day weekends for the nation's workers. Thus, the third Monday of February was supposedly designated as Presidents' Day. But, not so fast, there is more to the story...

Not only was Washington born in February but also another great U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, who was born February 12. Having two Presidents' birthdays so close together created problems. February is the shortest month of the year and here were two holidays which potentially would mean two school-free days, two Mondays off from work and sales, sales, sales on both days. Actually, that sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Of course, we know the celebration of two holidays so close together did not become reality. Only the one day evolved with that day neither actually being Washington's birth date or Lincoln's birth date but instead an arbitrary date known as Presidents' Day.Empower the Present...

For the most part, Presidents' Day is a federal holiday now celebrating all United States Presidents, both past and present. Whether you call it Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday or Presidents' Day, it is all the same day and celebrated primarily in recognition of
the United States of America's first President, George Washington.Enrich the Future...Make a special effort this Presidents' Day to honor the leaders of our great nation, our Presidents, both past and present. Become an example that can be passed on for generations to come as to how this day should truly be celebrated. Be sure those you meet and greet on this holiday know what this day is all about and that it goes much deeper than bargain basement prices on a single day of the year.My contribution is a video poem in honor ofseven of Our Founding Fathers, many of whom went on to become President of the United State.

Bottom Line...How do you plan to celebrate Presidents' Day? It is much, much more
than simply the sales, sales, sales that are so widely advertised. What
better time to pay tribute to America and our founding fathers than on
this day!

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About Me

Sharla is a graduate of Troy State University and an educator with a flair for writing in poetic verse. Her latest book, Awakenings from Then ’til Now is available from Tate Publishing. It is dedicated to those who laid the foundation and established the platform for our American freedom: those who have served in the past, presently serve, or will serve our military forces in the future. A profound appreciation is extended for the sacrifice of these brave men and women who left or will leave their homes and family to ensure America’s freedom endures.

A grave price is being paid every moment of every day of the year for all the freedom America has to offer. Let us not forget those who have fought or are fighting for our nation; they are the epitome of the human spirit called freedom!